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According to security expert Neil Fergus from Intelligent Risks, police won’t just be focusing on CBD area with officers planning to provide a risk-based security overlay at all the places of mass gathering that are going to attract large congregations of people.

In Melbourne, security is also being beefed up with authorities today launching an emergency alert system.

Heavily-armed police will patrol Sydney this New Year's Eve. ()

Victoria Police say the types of incidents this system will be used for include "class three emergencies", which would include a terrorist incident, siege, riot and an active armed offender or a vehicle-borne attack.

The heightened security measures come just days after 19 people were taken to hospital after a car ploughed into crowds at Melbourne's busy Flinders Street.

Last month, counter-terrorism officers also foiled a plot to cause mass carnage in Melbourne this New Year's Eve .

A 20-year-old man was arrested over an alleged plot to shoot revellers in Federation Square.

Undercover officers will mingle with crowds. ()

In the past four years, Mr Fergus said, there have been 13 terrorist conspiracies thwarted and four other events of terrorist nature.

He said it was quite evident that this was the new paradigm and police were responding appropriately.

Tightened security measures will also be in place across other capital cities.

There is a "high" probability of a terror attack on Australian shores. ()

In Brisbane, barriers and road closures are expected to be set up to prevent vehicle style attacks, while security will also conduct bag checks in certain areas.

Similar measures will also be implemented in Perth and Adelaide.

"You should take some comfort in how various police forces around Australia are planning and acting," Mr Fergus said.